LG G2, the other Korean giant's 2013 flagship release, is finally set to be officially launched in the Philippines on September 25, 2013.

Glowing reports about LG Mobile’s newest premium flagship have been milling around since its worldwide launch in New York the previous month. Netizens have voted LG G2 as "the best smartphone out there now" in a popular tech website while an online gadget magazine dubbed it as "the best smartphone in the world." Having read G2 reviews by tech blogs from countries that got it ahead of the Philippines, I'm really curious about how this handset performs in the flesh so I'm hoping that TP gets a review unit soon.

Removing "Optimus" in LG’s high-end mobile handset line nomenclature, the LG G2 puts forth human-inspired revolutionary features, making it the brand’s most sought-after and perhaps most intuitive smartphone to date.

Groundbreaking Design From Behavioral Studies

One of LG G2’s most notable features is the world’s first Rear Key, which is literally the only button of the device, positioned at the back. This button enables the user to switch the power on and off, activate the QuickMemo, and use the camera. Based on a consumer behavior study conducted by LG’s R&D group, the Rear Key gives users more control and easier access since this is where their index fingers are naturally located. This also results in fewer dropped phones when adjusting the volume while talking.

Because of this, LG G2 becomes the first smartphone completely devoid of buttons on the sides. Matching its sleek and seamless exterior, it has the narrowest bezel in the market.

The Best Hardware on Any LG Smartphone

LG G2 sports a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display for an expansive viewing experience. With its IPS screen technology, the G2 delivers superior graphics, accurate colors, and clear images without any distortion. Moreover, the G2 runs on the industry’s most advanced mobile chipset, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Processor, while its rather large 3,000 mAh siO+ battery and Graphic RAM (GRAM) make device ready for a full day’s work.

LG G2 is equipped with a 13 MegaPixel camera and Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), a feature usually found in DSLR cameras. This prevents blurring and allows clearer, brighter, and sharper images even when in motion or shooting in low-light environments. To prevent scratches and smudges, the camera lens of the LG G2 is made of sapphire crystal glass, used in luxury watches. Professional photo and video capturing are made through various firsts from LG such as the 8X Digital Zoom, 9 Multi-Point Auto-Focus, and recording capability up to 60 fps Full HD. In addition, studio-like audio quality is generated through the smartphone’s 24 bit/192kHz Hi-Fi sound playback, making yet another industry first for the G2.

User Experience (UX) That's 'Inspired by Humans'

LG G2 comes with a number of new user experience (UX) features that provide the most practical value by focusing on a smartphone’s most popular tasks:

KnockON – Turns the display on or off by tapping the screen twice with your finger

Answer Me – Automatically answers the call after lowering the ringtone when the phone is raised to one's ear

Plug & Pop – Recommends options or related features to choose from when the earphone or USB cable is detected

Slide Aside – Enables easier multitasking by simply "sliding" open apps off to the side using a three-finger swipe

Of course, it also upgrades UX features already found in previous LG smartphones - QuickMemo, which lets the user handwrite and share ideas onscreen with a fingertip; QuickTranslator, which translates scanned words up to 64 languages; QuickRemote, which operates home entertainment devices and appliances and adapts to conventional remote controls; Audio Zoom, which zooms in the sound of a specific area; and Dual Camera and Dual Recording, which takes photos or videos with the front and rear cameras simultaneously, allowing both the subject and the user to be part of the scene.

TP Friends, I've just received an invite from LG Mobile Philippines' PR agency for the LG G2's media launch happening on September 25, 2013. I'll do my best to be there to represent our community and to let you know what's happening at the event in real time.

So how much will LG's new flagship handset cost? According to our trusted source, as of today, there's still no exact SRP yet from LG but the smartphone will definitely retail for not more than Php 30,000 -- making it more affordable than Samsung Galaxy S4 and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note3, which is expected to don a price tag of around Php 36,000. As for its availability, LG G2 will hit store shelves across the archipelago within the last week of September 2013.

TP Thoughts:

With its key message "Learning From You" and "It's time to explore the other side" product slogan (alluding to Samsung Galaxy handsets), the LG G2 - I think - could very well make a significant mark in the local market. Having seen a demo of some of the above-mentioned UX features during the official media launch of LG Optimus G in the Philippines earlier this year, I'm very impressed with the unique software capabilities that LG has managed to bring to the Android platform. I also have to hand it to LG for being one of the first major manufacturers - along with HTC - to bring Optical Image Stabilization to the full-fledged Android smartphone category; I mean, Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom also has that but I think it is already leaning more on the digicam side than on the phone side of it as a hybrid.

It's actually been a while since I last worked with LG for a digital campaign (that's for LG Optimus 2X and LG Optimus Black, which - I believe - did very well in the Philippines then) and I hope that the Korean company would again tap TP as I'm personally very excited to let everyone know about this phone's cool new features.